In a fit of anger, wouldn't they chase him out of the house...
The image of his father's stern face flashed in his mind, and Gu Beichen couldn't help but shiver.
Torn by internal conflict, and after servants had come to urge him several times, Gu Beichen, unable to refuse, slowly went to the main hall.
Upon arriving, Gu Beichen was startled by the crowd filling the courtyard. Was it really necessary to summon so many people?
And Prince Jing, since when had he become so amiable? With just a request from Feng Jin, he'd scurried over.
"Young Master Gu, it's been many days. Have you been well these past few days?"
Chu Chenyi saw Gu Beichen's figure and hurried over to greet him, completely ignoring Gu Beichen's ashen face.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness Prince Jing. This young master has been doing very well... very well..."
Gu Beichen stared intently at Chu Chenyi, wishing he could just drive him away.
"To say such a thing makes us strangers. I heard today is the auspicious day for Young Master Gu to formally take a master. I have come specially to offer my congratulations. Guards, present the congratulatory gift I prepared for Young Master Gu."
A servant carried a brocade box and opened it in front of Gu Beichen.
"I searched the entire treasury but couldn't find a gift worthy of expressing my sentiments. After much consideration, I decided to bestow upon Young Master Gu a piece of my own calligraphy, a dedication of 'diligent effort.' May these four words encourage Young Master Gu daily. Since you have taken a master, you must respect your teacher and learn skills diligently."
Gu Beichen's face darkened further. He accepted Chu Chenyi's gift and said fiercely, "Thank you for your kind intentions, Prince Jing. This young master will pray day and night, wishing that you too can find such a master."
"Then I shall trouble Young Master Gu."
Lin Yuwei, sensing the escalating tension between the two, pulled Chu Chenyi aside and whispered in his ear, "What are you babbling about again? It's clearly because you're poor and couldn't find anything decent in the treasury. You just wanted to see Young Master Gu make a fool of himself, so you wrote a piece of calligraphy yourself. Now you're blowing it out of proportion. You truly are..."
"Mmm..." Before Lin Yuwei could finish speaking, Chu Chenyi covered her mouth.
"If you let anything slip, I'll move all your dowry into Prince Jing's treasury, leaving you with nothing."
Lin Yuwei swatted away his hand and glared fiercely at Chu Chenyi, "If you dare to touch my dowry, I'll go to the palace and let the Empress Dowager know about your good deeds."
"You... you win. As expected, it's truly difficult to deal with women and petty men. I, being magnanimous, will not argue with a mere woman like you."
Chu Chenyi snorted coldly and commanded imperiously, "Why are you still standing there? Hurry and push me inside."
Lin Yuwei rolled her eyes and gestured vigorously at the man's head, giving the wheelchair a forceful push.
If Chu Chenyi hadn't been sitting securely, he would have almost been thrown out, frightening him into tightly gripping the armrests.
Feng Jin, adorned in opulent brocade robes and a head full of pearls and jewels, her already radiant and delicate features enhanced by a light makeup, became even more stunning. Her entrance captured everyone's attention.
Ling Mohan's expression instantly turned grim upon seeing Feng Jin's attire. Was she deliberately trying to attract attention by dressing like this?
He stepped forward, took Feng Jin's hand, and pulled her into his arms, whispering in her ear, "Why are you dressed like this? Who are you trying to impress?"
"In public, don't pull and tug at me like this. What kind of decorum is this if people see? Also, my hair is getting messed up. I just finished styling it."
Feng Jin pushed away the man clinging to her and tidied her hair, which had taken a full half hour to style.
Today was the grand occasion of her accepting a disciple, and she had to appear in her best state, absolutely not allowing Ling Mohan to ruin her beautiful image.
"Sister Feng Jin, you look so beautiful today, especially your makeup. What have you applied to your eyes? They're so sparkly and look lovely."
Lin Yuwei's voice was filled with admiration, making Feng Jin's heart bloom with joy.
"Really? I also think my makeup today is quite beautiful," Feng Jin said, unreservedly praising herself.
"I've applied eyeshadow to my eyes, in several different colors. When you return, I'll bring you a palette."
"Really? Thank you, Sister Feng Jin."
After exchanging pleasantries with Lin Yuwei for a few moments, Feng Jin saw that most of the guests had arrived. She stepped forward, cleared her throat, and raised her voice, "Today is the day I accept a disciple. Thank you all for gracing this occasion. After you witness the ceremony of taking a master, exquisite dishes will be served for your enjoyment."
"Young Madam, everything is prepared. When shall the ceremony begin?"
Feng Jin nodded slightly, signaling Cai Qing to bring Gu Beichen.
Cai Qing scanned the surroundings several times, searching for Gu Beichen's figure. She had clearly seen him enter earlier. Where had he gone?
After searching for a while, Cai Qing finally spotted Gu Beichen in an inconspicuous corner. She walked up to him, "Young Master Gu, why are you hiding here? You made me search everywhere! The time for taking a master is almost here. Young Master Gu, please don't be late."
All eyes turned towards Gu Beichen.
Gu Beichen managed a sheepish smile. For the sake of his reputation, he had no choice but to shuffle towards the center.
"Young Master Gu, the Young Madam, considering your status, has decided to keep this ceremony simple. You just need to offer a cup of tea to the Young Madam, and the master-disciple relationship will be established."
Cai Qing brought a cup of tea and presented it to Gu Beichen.
Gu Beichen was already wondering how to excuse himself. He hadn't expected Feng Jin to be so thoughtful. If he didn't take this opportunity, he would truly be ungrateful.
He would have completely disgraced the Zhennan Royal Manor. Gu Beichen took a deep breath, his heart sinking. He took the tea bowl and handed it to Feng Jin.
"Greetings, Master."
Feng Jin's lips curved into a smile, very pleased with Gu Beichen's actions. She gracefully accepted the tea cup and took a sip of the clear tea.
"Cai Qing, bring the items."
"Young Master Gu, this is the congratulatory gift the Young Madam has prepared for you."
Gu Beichen glanced at the item and couldn't take his eyes off it. It was a fan with a white jade frame, and the fan surface was woven from celestial silk.
This celestial silk was extremely fine yet incredibly durable, requiring three years to weave a bolt of fabric.
Using celestial silk as fan cloth was the epitome of luxury.
Gu Beichen held the fan, utterly captivated. The white jade warmed in the summer and cooled in the winter, and combined with the celestial silk fan surface, it was priceless.
To receive such a treasure for taking a master, Gu Beichen calculated that the deal was not a loss.
"Your martial arts are not yet refined. I am giving you this fan so you can protect yourself, not as an item for showing off. Do you understand?"
Feng Jin lectured Gu Beichen, truly embodying the image of a strict master.